Hand electric clothes presser



Dec. 9, 1947. w. H. RYAN HAND ELECTRIC CLOTHES PRESSER Filed OCT.. 28. 1944 faillit H Ryan IN VEN TOR. BY 7)(5 Patented Dec. 9, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Clalm My invention relates to hand type electric clothes pressers, and one object is to provide a presser of this kind which exerts a strong grip on the material pressed, whereby to procure a highly eiilcient pressing operation.

A further object is to design the novel presser as a development of a hand tool of the spring plier or curling iron variety, wherein gripping pressure on the handles opens a pair of jaws against spring resistance, the jaws carrying presser units designed to engage the material to be pressed when the pressure on the handles is relaxed.

Another object is to include a removable intermediate plate in the novel presser which serves as an ironing board or base to facilitate the simultaneous pressing of a pair of trouser legs, effecting a saving of time.

An important object is to construct the novel presser along lines of simplicity and durability.

With the above objects in view and any others which may suggest themselves from the description to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in Which- Fig. 1 is a. side elevation of the presser opened to receive the work;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1 showing one type of support for the intermediate plate referred to above;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and showing a modiiled support; and

Fig. 5 is a view showing the manner in which the presser is used.

In accordance with the foregoing, specific reference to the drawing indicates the frame of the presser at III, and it will be apparent that the same has the general formation of a pair of pliers, one end of the frame being developed with the usual handles I I and the other with flat jaws I2 and I3. The usual medial pivot I4 is employed to hold the frame together, and a torsion spring I5 is lodged in the hollow of the frame in the usual manner for the purpose of urging the jaws I2 and I3 toward each other.

For the purpose of the present invention, the jaws are provided on their inner sides with presser units I6 and I'I. These are ilat, hollow bodies of sheet metal which contain electrical heating elements I8 lodged between mica insulators I9, so that the units I6 and II become constituted as pressing irons in relation to any cloth or garment or other material which may be placed therebetween. The units I6 and I'I carry connecting posts 20 from which electrical conductors 2l extend to be joined in the form of a current supply cord 22, the same preferably entering the presser by way of an opening 23 in one of the handles II.

While the presser unit I1 is solidly connected with the jaw I3, the presser unit I6 is fioatingly disposed. As shown, a pair of posts 2l rise from the center region of the unit I6 to pass freely through openings 25 in the jaw I2 and terminate with heads 26. Thus, when the presser is closed, the unit I6 readily adjusts itself to bear flatly on the unit I1 and will be free to bear evenly on the work between the presser units irrespective of the angle of the jaws.

It will now be apparent that with the presser opened to the extent shown in Fig. 1, it is possible to insert the material of a garment or other cloth article between the presser units I6 and I`I, so that when the handles are released and the electrical current turned on-by a suitable switch or button not shown-the pressing operation will begin.

The intermediate plate previously referred to is shown inserted in the presser and denoted by the numeral 21. This plate is fiat and of sheet metal; and it is of approximately the same size as the units I6 and I'I. The plate is designed to be supported midway between these units, and one form of the support is a pair of` rods 28 forming part of an arch 29 secured by rivets 30 or other means to the plate 21. The rods extend rearwardly from the plate to enter tubular sockets 3| carried by the jaw I3 of the presser. The fit of the rods in the sockets is snug, so that the plate 21 becomes firmly supported in the position shown. Now two pieces of material can be inserted in the presser on opposite sides of the plate and the latter employed in the manner of an ironing board or base against which the ,units I6 and II press the material. This fea- -at one time, as illustrated in Fig. 5. While this figure shows a presser of average size; it is possible to make the same or its presser units I6 and I'I larger in order to cover the area between the crease and the medial seam in a pair oi trousers.

Fig. 4 shows a modification of the plate support wherein the arch 29 is extended with spring arms 32. These are projected with inward jaws 33 which are adapted to enter openings 34 in the It will be evident from the above descriptiony that I have provided a hand presser which is not only light and easily maneuverable, but is of a form to be rmly held in the hand and easily operated to'open and receive the work. Ordinarily,

it may be used without the lintermediate plate 21 by simply removing the same. Yet, this plate is.

easily attachable to permit double work to be done simultaneously. In such case it is feasible to pre-heat the plate 21 by first allowing the units I6 and I 'I to close upon the same while the heat is on; so that the plate will be hot when the double work is inserted. Further, the floating presser unit I6 is a feature which automatically adjusts the presser to exert uniform pressure on the work. Further, it is noted that hand pressure is only momentarily needed for the purpose of opening the presser jaws, and that no manual etort is required to do the actual pressing because the force of the spring I will do this either momentarily or as long as required. While the presser is capable of exerting considerable force on the work being pressed, it can be made very light throughout, so as not to impose any fatigue while it is held or moved from place to place along the work. Altogether, the novel presser forms a. neat, compact, elcient and durable implement which is designed to serve as a handy substitute for the much heavier pressing iron and the ironing board usuf I ally required for the same.

While I have described the invention along speciilc lines. various minor changes or refinements may be made therein without departing from its principle, and I desire to consider such changes and refinements as coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claim.

I claim:

A hand-type clothes presser comprising an implement of plier form and containing a spring to gather the Jaws, ilat and hollow members carried by the Jaws in opposed relation, heating units inside said members, a plate between and in substantial parallelism to said members. receptacles carried by one of said jaws, and rods extended from the plate and removably held in said receptacles for the support of the plate from said Jaw.

WILLIAM H. RYAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany Apr. 28, 1927 

